Important News - 2025-04-29
29 April 2025
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Politics (5)
The Anti-Liquor Movement in Madras Presidency: A Historical Perspective
In the Madras Presidency, a significant anti-liquor movement gained momentum nearly a century ago, culminating in the introduction of liquor prohibition in 1937. A decade earlier, on October 22, 1927, the Madras Legislative Council passed a resolution urging the British India government to declare total prohibition within 20 years as a goal. The Excise Advisory Committee emphasized the necessity of creating public awareness against alcohol consumption and educating the masses on its harmful effects. Consequently, in June 1929, the government sanctioned a propaganda scheme to be carried out across the Presidency. District committees were formed to lead this campaign, which included lectures by health officers on the dangers of alcohol and its impact on public health. The movement faced resistance, particularly from the then Excise Minister, Sir A.P. Patro, who prohibited health officers from conducting anti-drink propaganda. Despite this, the campaign continued until September 1931, when it was discontinued due to financial constraints. The anti-liquor movement was seen as a means to improve public health and reduce the societal ills associated with alcohol consumption.
Senior IPS Officer Anjaneyulu Interrogated in Bollywood Actress Harassment Case
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) recently interrogated senior IPS officer P.S. Anjaneyulu for two days in connection with allegations of harassment involving Bollywood actress Kadambari Jethwani. The case, which was filed in February 2024, accuses Anjaneyulu, along with others, of falsely implicating Jethwani and her family. During the interrogation, Anjaneyulu, identified as the second accused, was questioned about his involvement in the case, his communications with the primary accused, Kukkala Vidyasagar, and the circumstances surrounding the detainment of Jethwani and her family post-bail. Anjaneyulu was arrested on April 21 from his residence in Hyderabad and was subsequently handed over to Vijayawada jail authorities after the interrogation.
BJP Criticizes Siddaramaiah’s Alleged Outburst Amid Power-Sharing Speculations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly raising his hand against a police officer, labeling the incident as a sign of frustration due to the speculated power-sharing agreement within the Congress party. On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashok, stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s actions indicate his realization that he may have to step down from his position. Ashok also defended BJP workers’ protest, wherein they waved black flags during a Congress event addressed by Siddaramaiah, citing the Chief Minister’s alleged comments in favor of Pakistan regarding a recent terror attack. Ashok emphasized that such protests are a normal part of democracy, but the Congress and the Chief Minister seem to be unable to tolerate them.
Tiruchi Mayor Confirms Outsourcing of New Bus Terminal Operations Amid Councillors' Opposition
Tiruchi Mayor M. Anbazhagan confirmed on Tuesday that the Tiruchi Corporation’s decision to outsource the operation and maintenance of the newly constructed Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) at Panjapur, built at an estimated cost of ₹492 crore, remains unchanged. The decision was made to ensure the terminal, one of the largest in the country, is maintained by a dedicated team. Some councillors, including K. Suresh (CPI) and S. Suresh (CPI-M), opposed the move, advocating for direct control by the Corporation to generate more revenue and create employment opportunities. Mayor Anbazhagan clarified that the arrangement is on a pilot basis, with accountability clauses ensuring cleanliness and maintenance. Additionally, concerns were raised by traders from Gandhi Market about potential livelihood impacts due to the proposed Integrated Vegetable Market at Panjapur. However, the Mayor assured that the traders would not be relocated, as clarified by Minister for Municipal Administration K. N. Nehru. The Integrated Bus Terminal and Truck Terminal are set to be inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on May 9, named after former Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and C.N. Annadurai, respectively.
Karnataka Governor Urges CM and Speaker to Revoke Suspension of 18 BJP MLAs
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Speaker U.T. Khader, urging them to positively consider revoking the suspension of 18 BJP members from the Legislative Assembly. The Governor emphasized the need to uphold democratic values and enable the suspended MLAs to resume their duties as people’s representatives. This development follows a meeting between a BJP delegation, led by State president B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, and the Governor, where they sought his intervention. The 18 MLAs were suspended for six months during the Budget session for creating a ruckus, displaying indiscipline, and disrespecting the Speaker’s chair. They had protested demanding a judicial or CBI probe into allegations by Minister K.N. Rajanna, tearing papers and hurling them towards the Speaker.
Education (1)
St. Ebba's School: A Legacy of Education and Empowerment in Mylapore
In 1886, a group of Scottish missionaries established a school in Mylapore to educate impoverished girls. The school, named St. Ebba's, was initially a residential institution founded by Laura Jackson, Teale, Ruth Gordon, Schebhert, and Joe Walford. Located on Sullivan's Garden, the site was previously the residence of Benjamin Franklin, the 'originator' of the Madras Post Office. The school was upgraded to secondary status in 1903 and expanded further in 1913 with the addition of a hostel for students and teachers. During World War II, the school was used as a military barracks and later returned to its original site. In 1978, St. Ebba's became a higher secondary school, and in 2007, a matriculation school was established on the premises. The school currently offers a noon-meal scheme and has applied for permission to extend co-education up to Class VIII. It boasts a strong sports program, with achievements in hockey, football, handball, and athletics.
Heritage (2)
Renewed Push for UNESCO World Heritage Status for Hyderabad’s Iconic Sites
Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah has urged the Telangana government to revive the proposal for nominating Hyderabad’s iconic heritage sites, including the Qutb Shahi Tombs, Golconda Fort, and Charminar, for UNESCO World Heritage status. Speaking at the centenary celebration of Art Deco architecture held at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Ms. Lambah recalled that a nomination had been submitted in 2010 but did not progress. She emphasized that this is the right time to take the proposal forward again, drawing from her experience with the successful UNESCO inscription of Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensemble in 2018. The event also highlighted Hyderabad’s Art Deco legacy, with Srinivas Murthy, the curator, revealing that 148 prominent Art Deco buildings in the city have been identified, with documentation completed for 52 of them. A book on Hyderabad’s Art Deco architecture is planned for release in September. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, who attended the event, stressed the importance of preserving architectural heritage and called for more public awareness initiatives.
Exploring Chennai's Cinematic Heritage Through Iconic Tamil Film Locations
During the annual Madras Week celebrations, actor Mohan V. Raman presented a detailed analysis of the city of Chennai as depicted in old Tamil films. His presentation, which was a significant success, focused on identifying the locations where various scenes and songs from these films were shot. One of the highlights of his research was the song 'Azhagiya Mithilai Nagarinile' from the 1962 film 'Annai,' which featured iconic locations such as the beach, Poonamallee High Road, NSC Bose Road, and Rajaji Salai. The song showcased the colonial architecture of Chennai, including 18 historical monuments. Another notable song from the same film, 'O Bak Bak Bak Bakum Bakum Mada Pura,' was filmed on the rooftop of a colonial-era bungalow, which was later identified as the residence of A. Nagappa Chettiar on Spurtank Road. This bungalow, known as Uma Bhavanam, was originally a colonial structure but underwent significant architectural changes in the 1960s to adopt an Art Deco style. The film 'Annai' was later remade in Hindi as 'Ladla,' though it did not achieve the same success as the original. This exploration of Chennai's cinematic heritage provides valuable insights into the city's architectural and cultural history.
Appointments (1)
Schemes (2)
PM Modi Highlights Transformative Impact of New Education Policy on India’s Education System
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on April 29, 2025, highlighted the transformative impact of the New Education Policy (NEP) on India’s education system during the Uniting Academia, Industry and Innovators for Viksit Bharat (YUGM) conclave in New Delhi. The event was jointly organized by the Union Education Ministry and the Wadhwani Foundation. PM Modi emphasized that the National Curriculum Framework, learning-teaching materials, and new textbooks for classes 1 to 7 have been developed under the NEP. He also mentioned the creation of a ‘One Nation, One Digital Education Infrastructure’ through the PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA platforms, which are AI-based and scalable, enabling the preparation of textbooks in over 30 Indian languages and seven foreign languages. The National Credit Framework has facilitated students in studying multiple subjects simultaneously, accessing modern education, and exploring new career pathways. PM Modi noted significant progress in the research ecosystem, with the gross expenditure on research and development increasing from ₹60,000 crore in 2013–14 to over ₹1.25 lakh crore. State-of-the-art research parks and Research and Development Cells in about 6,000 higher education institutions have been established, fostering a culture of innovation. The number of patents has doubled from 40,000 in 2014 to over 80,000. The National Research Foundation, with a budget of ₹50,000 crore, and the ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ initiative have further supported research and access to world-class journals. The Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship has been introduced to remove barriers for talented individuals in advancing their careers.
Miscellaneous (1)
Telangana Sees Sharp Rise in Kidney Stone Cases Due to Summer Heat and Poor Diet
The Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) in Telangana has reported a significant increase in kidney stone cases this summer, attributing the surge to extreme heat, dehydration, and poor dietary habits. The hospital is currently treating 300 to 400 patients daily, a two to two-and-a-half-fold rise compared to winter months. Dr. Taif Bendegeri, Senior Consultant Urologist at AINU, highlighted that the rise is particularly concerning among young adults and children, driven by high junk food consumption and insufficient hydration. AINU has issued preventive measures, including increased water intake, reduced salt and processed food consumption, and avoiding sugary drinks. The hospital has termed summer as the ‘Stone Season’ due to the heightened risk of kidney stone formation during this period.
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